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The Top 5 Atlanta Braves Prospects You Need To Know

AJ Smith-Shawver - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Jay breaks down the Atlanta Braves Top 5 Prospects of 2024. Get to know the next generation of Braves stars as we dive into their minor-league farm system prospects.

The Atlanta Braves minor league system is loaded with prospects that hold immense promise for both the organization and fantasy baseball enthusiasts.

The old saying goes, “Pitching wins championships,” and the Braves have a ton of young arms waiting in the wings, ready to step in at a moment’s notice.

After losing some key contributors like Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr. to a rash of injuries, this youth movement will be vital to the Braves' playoff hopes as they look to capture their seventh straight division title.

 

The Top 5 Atlanta Braves Prospects You Need To Know 

AJ Smith-Shawver - RHP

Ranked number one on the Braves top prospects chart, right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has already received the call to the big leagues. Smith-Shawver made his brief debut with the major league club in 2023 when he was only 20. The Atlanta flame-thrower has shown top-of-the-rotation potential with a fastball that touches triple-digits. Smith-Shawver was brought back to Atlanta on May 23 for a start vs. the Cubs.

He was effective in the non-decision going 4.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts but was diagnosed with an oblique strain shortly thereafter, landing him on the 15-day IL. We should see a July return if his recovery goes smoothly, but backed by a high-octane offense (even without Ronald Acuna Jr.), Smith-Shawver should be stashed in IL spots everywhere possible.

Spencer Schwellenbach – RHP

The third-best prospect in the Atlanta organization, Spencer Schwellenbach, took the mound last week in his MLB debut just two days before his 24th birthday against the Nationals on May 29. The result didn’t go as hoped for Schwellenbach, who took the loss after giving up three runs in five innings while walking and hitting a batter. As rough as it was, Schwellenbach finished the night with five strikeouts and showed fantasy baseball managers why he needs to be added to all watch lists immediately.

Now that AJ Smith-Shawver is sitting on the IL, Schwellenbach should have a considerable leash to earn his spot in the Braves rotation. If he does, he looks to be a solid fantasy contributor down the stretch.

Hurston Waldrep – RHP

2023 first-round draft pick, Houston Waldrep, is the second-ranked prospect in the Braves system and is also banging on the door to come up. Waldrep was recently promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett on June 1 thanks to his upper 90’s fastball. Known for gaudy college strikeout numbers (13.5 K/9), Waldrep can also contribute to the ratio categories showcased by a 2.40 ERA in his two minor league seasons. If we do see Waldrep make the jump to the pros in 2024, it will most likely be as a reliever, however, Atlanta will be playing games that matter through the end of summer and he can be a valuable piece in the fantasy playoffs as well.

Owen Murphy – RHP

The Braves first-round pick of 2022, Owen Murphy, slots into fourth on this list even though the 20-year-old right-hander is slated to undergo Tommy John surgery and end his 2024 campaign. Murphy was in the middle of an incredible year at A+ Rome going 4-2 with a 1.54 ERA, and 60 strikeouts in 41 innings. There’s a long road ahead for Murphy, but if he can bounce back from this injury, he can start hitting fantasy radars at the end of next year.

Ignacio “Nacho” Alvarez Jr. – SS

The only non-pitcher on this list and his nickname is “Nacho,” what’s not to love?! Alvarez Jr. was a fifth-round pick in 2022 and has been one of the most consistent hitters in the Braves minor leagues. He has an above-average eye and enough speed to make a difference in fantasy lineups.

The 21-year-old has a career average of .281 in the minors, he stole 16 bases in 2023 and he’s already reached 16 in 2024. Alvarez Jr. is also highly regarded defensively at shortstop which may be his calling card to the big show, however, once he lands in Atlanta, his bat just might be what keeps him there. Alvarez should be on all sleeper cheat sheets for next year's drafts.

 

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BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team leagues CALL-UP ETA: Now ANALYSIS: On Thursday evening, the Angels announced they were promoting their top-ranked prospect, infielder Christian Moore, to the major leagues. Moore was selected with the eighth pick in last year's draft out of Tennessee. Moore wasted little time making an impact as he made his Double-A debut […]


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Andrew Painter - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 11)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter should continue to be viewed as a top stash option. After recovering from Tommy John and missing the entirety of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Painter has returned to the bump this season and is fast approaching his MLB […]


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Zebby Matthews - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 11)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: Zebby Matthews was one of the most interesting pitching prospects coming into this season and delivered solid outings before going down with a shoulder injury. Matthews has not been particularly impressive in his two major league stints so far, but his minor league success and […]


Quinn Mathews - Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Draft Sleepers, MLB Rookie Rankings

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BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews was a popular name in this column during the opening month of the campaign, but suffered a shoulder injury. However, Mathews is back in action and remains on a trach to reach the majors this season. In his […]


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Carson Whisenhunt - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 11)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14-team leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: San Francisco Giants left-handed pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt continues to impress at Triple-A and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. The top-ranked prospect in the system opened the campaign by earning his second look at Triple-A. In 2024, Whisenhunt made his Triple-A debut but struggled, logging […]




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